Michael Vick's Federal Sentence Coming to an End

Former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick's federal sentence on dogfighting charges will end on Monday. Vick was sentenced on the charges in December 2007, and served his time in federal prison until May 2009. He has served his last two months of his sentence in home confinement. Vick was originally sentenced to 23 months but later reduced a few months for good behavior. This will be the beginning of Vick trying to get his football career resurrected.

A few months before Vick was sentenced to jail, August 2007 to be precise, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely. The suspension meant that Vick could not report to the Falcons training camp, as he was on trial. After Vick got released from prison, Goodell said that he would consider lifting his suspension, but would have to meet with Vick and see if he changed. The Falcons released Vick in June 2009, after not being able to trade him. Goodell will make his decision on whether to keep Vick suspended or lift the ban, by the start of the upcoming season.

Vick was a top NFL quarterback earlier this decade, and was drafted first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick was a double threat on the field, as he could throw the long ball or rush for 20 yards if needed to. Vick was selected to three Pro Bowls in his young career. In 2006, he set an NFL record for most yards per carry in a season (8.4) and became the only QB in history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Vick is still perhaps, the greatest rushing quarterback of all-time.

Some obstacles Vick faces is getting back in playing shape and re-learning how to play football again. Vick has reportedly been excercising, while in prison, but still has to get into playing weight. He is also considerably rusty, from not playing football for more than three years.

If Vick wants to get back to playing football professionally, and he said that he does, he will have a few options. For Vick to get back to the NFL, Goodell would have to lift his suspension. Since the Falcons released Vick, he would have to look for another team. There are no teams that are currently pursuing Vick at this moment, but if he gets reinstated, that might change.

If Vick doesn't get reinstated in the NFL this year, he could turn his attention to the newly formed UFL (United Football League). The UFL is a brand new football league set to start in October 2009. This will be Vick's second option if the NFL does not work out. The UFL has said to be very interested in Michael Vick. The CFL (Canadian Football League) is not a possibility for Vick currently, as they ban players to enter their league if they are suspended in the NFL.

Vick still has many obstacles to conquer, just to play football again.